Tributes paid as Cannock theatre's final manager dies at 89

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Edna Dean managed the Danilo Theatre prior to its demolition, and passed away on New Year's Eve, aged 89.

Mrs Dean was born Edna May Stanley on February 28, 1929, in Burntwood to Albert and Mary Stanley.

The great-grandmother-of-two was brought up in Chasetown where she left school at the age of 14 to work in a wallpaper shop.

Mrs Dean's granddaughter Helen Borton said that from there Mrs Dean went to work at Streetly Works in the restaurant.

Edna Dean, far right, with other workers at the Danilo Theatre

"She was a waitress and they used to have black tie dinners, so she learned how to be a silver service waitress," Ms Borton said.

Mrs Dean met her husband, Albert Dean, at work and they married in 1957, before their only child - also named Albert - was born the next year. Mr Dean died in 1996.

They initially lived in a cottage in Chadsmoor before moving to Heath Gap Road in Cannock.

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Mrs Dean started working at the Danilo Theatre when her son was about three years old in 1960.

Rolling Stones

Ms Borton said: "She started off as an usher working alongside her husband's sister, before being promoted to a cashier and later manager.

"She recalled having people like Cliff Richard and the Rolling Stones at the theatre, and going to the dressing room to see the Rolling Stones were sat in there.

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"She was also the manager when it was a bingo hall, right up until it was demolished and then she worked as a cleaner."

Ms Borton added: "She absolutely adored animals and had many dogs. I have vivid memories of going to her house and seeing her standing in her kitchen looking outside at her garden which was immaculate.

"Her husband was a pigeon flyer and was well known in that community."